Zoomer Week In Review

Christine Ross fills in for Libby Znaimer. With an aging population, Canada is bracing for a wave of new cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia. There’s a groundbreaking program that allows caregivers to feel what it’s like to live with the disease. Christine speaks with Kim Grier, the lead trainer of ‘Virtual Dementia Tour’. And – Next time you clean out the fridge and throw that head of lettuce or yogurt in the compost or trash, think about this fact: 60 percent of food Canadians throw away could have been consumed! And there’s now a movement gaining momentum to change our attitude about food waste. Christine talks to Vince Sferazza a waste policy planner with the city of Toronto.

In the aftermath of last week’s horrific mass shooting in Toronto’s Greektown, victims, witnesses and an entire city grieves. Libby speaks with University of Toronto psychologist Dr. Norman Farb about recovery from trauma ..it’s not a one size fits all process. And – important new details on the gender gap when it comes to heart disease. Libby speaks with Dr. Louise Sun, lead author of an important Canadian study on heart failure.

The Federal Liberal government has its first ever Minister of Seniors in a newly created portfolio announced in this week’s cabinet shuffle. The Zoomer advocacy group CARP is celebrating the decision. Libby talks to CARP’s VP of Advocacy Wanda Morris. AND The Canadian-made Avro Lancaster was the most famous bomber used during the Second World War and is still wildly popular with aircraft enthusiasts around the world. Ontario and British Columbia are currently locked in a battle over ownership of one that’s currently sitting in pieces in a Toronto area hanger. Libby gets all the details from Dave Rohrer from the Hamilton Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

We’re headed into another heat wave after the recent one that was responsible for a total of 70 deaths in Quebec and 3 suspected in Ontario. The drastic difference in numbers is because the provinces use different protocols for reporting. The question is does the Quebec model make it easier to intervene and save lives? Libby is joined by Dr. David Kaiser from Montreal’s public health office to talk about it. AND Do you have an extra bedroom? Can you use some extra cash, some help around the house and some company? That’s the starting point for a new house-sharing project that will pair seniors and young people. CARP is getting behind it along with the City of Toronto. Laura Tamblyn Watts and Andrea Austen dropped by the studio to talk about it.

Tensions are rising between Canada and the US as the trade war ensues. And it affects all of us. First – your finances! Investment guru Gordon Pape shares his strategy on how to make your portfolio defensive. AND The trade war has many Canadians resolving to cancel plans to travel to the United States this summer. Zoomer Magazine’s executive editor and travel expert Vivian Vassos has tips on the best Canadian destinations.

Dementia has many victims… not just those suffering from the mind-robbing disease. A new report shows caregivers pay a heavy cost in terms of their own health..with over half suffering from ‘burn-out’. Lead author of the study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information Tracey Johnson join Libby to talk about it. AND What are you doing to celebrate Canada day? will you be one of the 300 thousand planning to trek to Parliament Hill for the big bash? Those official birthday celebrations have evolved with changing times and government. We’ll get a little history lesson from University of Guleph professor Matthew Hayday.

A staggering 72% of Canadian men have unhealthy lifestyles that are bound to catch up to them. The Canadian Men’s Health Foundation is hoping that giving the details about smoking, drinking, diet, sleep and exercise will motivate change. Libby reached Joe Rachert of the CMHF in Vancouver. AND – It’s already a reality in Japan and it’s coming here soon. Robots can provide the answer to the two big worries for people as they age: Safety and loneliness. A company called Avatarmind makes a personalized robot called iPal and it’ll soon be available to consumers for about the same cost as a high end computer. Libby spoke with Avatarmind CEO, Dr. John Ostrem, ahead of his talk at ideacity.

The suicide rate among Zoomers has increased more than any other age group in the United States. It’s part of an alarming report that came out just days after the suicide deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Libby talks with CAMH psychologist Dr. David Gratzer to get his take. AND – Mental health is just one area of healthcare that is both underfunded and under serviced. Hospital wait times are rising as the demand grows. It’s a crisis that was the centerpiece of the 3 main party leaders in the provincial election. Libby speaks to Domenic Pilla, CEO of McKesson Canada, about the right prescription for an inefficient system.

Managing chronic pain with medical cannabis is becoming the treatment of choice as the opioid crisis grows. And it will be a hot topic at the 2018 edition of Moses Znaimer’s Idea City. Libby talks to Chief Medical Officer of Starseed Medicinal, Dr. Peter Blecher, ahead of his talk at ideacity. AND – The newly elected government has promised to build tens of thousands of long term care beds to solve the crisis. Libby talks to Director of Geriatrics at the Sinai Health System and government advisor, Dr. Samir Sinha, to get his opinion.

Christine Ross fills in for Libby Znaimer. Healthcare could decide the Ontario election. Seniors are worried about the future of healthcare and they’re making that message loud and clear in the provincial election campaign. A just-released poll by CARP and the Ontario Medical Association suggests people want a significant new investment in care. Christine talks to the president of the Ontario Medical Association, Dr. Nadia Alam to get her take. AND – Eating 12 ounces of protein a day and doing strength training 3 times a week is your best weapon against weight gain as we age. Christine speaks with Dr. Caroline Apovian, a Boston based weight management and nutrition expert, about how to feel better and keep the pounds off in our Zoomer years.

Two hidden pages from the Diary of Anne frank have been revealed through the use of new technology…and they’re all about sex! Libby talks to Ronald Leopold, the Executive Director of the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam. AND – At 85, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an unlikely celebrity. The outspoken U-S Supreme Court Justice was instrumental in landmark cases involving equal rights for women and she is still making news headlines with her comments on everything from the METOO movement to her criticism of Donald Trump. Now her story is being told in a new documentary called RBG. Libby talks with the filmmakers, Betsy West and Julie Cohen.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. Today is Mother’s Day. It can trigger sadness for many Zoomers who’ve lost their Moms, with constant reminders of this special day on social media, TV and radio that stir up old memories. Bob talks to bereavement researcher and Sociology Professor Deborah Carr who reminds us that it’s ok to be sad, but focus on positive memories because Mother’s Day is just one day, but Moms stay with us for life. And – A good night’s sleep usually means improved mood for the day ahead. But our sleep patterns can change as we age due to a number of sleep disorders. And less sleep means less time for the body to heal and repair. Cutting edge research is currently underway at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto where major breakthroughs are happening. Bob talks with Neurologist Dr. Brian Murray, the head of the hospital’s sleep lab.

We use the web to look up everything from recipes, to news and health. But a new study out of Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences found that googling the side effects of prescription drugs can actually trigger those symptoms. Libby talks with the study’s lead author Dr. Baiju Shah. And – Toronto just witnessed an outpouring of kindness following the recent horrific van attack. Empathy and kindness are explored in The Power of Kindness, a new book by veteran emergency room doctor Brian Goldman. After a patient’s family called him out for being unkind, he went on a quest to find his lost compassion and the most empathetic people on the planet. He joins Libby in studio to talk about what he learned.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. Toronto is grieving and trying to recover from the recent devastating van attack that left 10 dead and 16 injured. How we process grief and post traumatic stress is different for everyone. Bob talks with traumatic stress expert Dr. Anna Baranowsky. AND – CARP wants to make pension protection an election issue both provincially and federally. The advocacy group is rolling out a campaign soon, with the full support of its members. Bob talks with Marissa Semkiw, CARP’s Director of Policy and Government Relations.

Zoomers are well-practiced in filing income tax returns, but this year there are a lot of changes to remember, especially in the areas of care-giving and medical and disability claims. Libby gets all the details from Evelyn Jacks, who has written over 53 books for consumers on tax and wealth. And – Over 12 million Canadians do volunteer work and expect nothing in return. Zoomers who volunteer will tell you, they receive more than they give in rewards. Libby talks to Paula Spivak, President of Volunteer Canada, about who volunteers and why.

It’s being called the Logan Boulet effect. The Humboldt Broncos defenceman signed his organ donation card when he turned 21 just a few weeks ago. Tragically, he was among the 16 killed in the horrific crash last week in Saskatchewan. But his decision has inspired others, and there’s been a huge increase in the number of Canadians signing up as organ donors. Libby talks about it with Ronnie Gavsie from Trillium Gift of Life. And – This week Celebrity Chef Lynn Crawford picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award from Canada’s 100 best restaurants – a publication that lists the best in the industry.She is a pioneer of the vibrant food scene in Toronto and across the country. A perennial presence on food television and the owner owner of Ruby Watchco, She came to the Zoomerplex to talk to Libby about the award and new directions food.

Bob Komsic fills in for Libby Znaimer. 25 thousand new cases of Alzheimer’s disease are diagnosed every year in Canada. Doctors and researchers on the front lines are doing everything to reverse this alarming stat including a new cheek swab test now being used here in Toronto. Bob speaks to Dr. Sharon Cohen, Medical Director of the Toronto Memory Program, about potential breakthroughs in treatments. And – When Gord Downie died last October, the nation mourned. Some have called ‘The Tragically Hip’ the most Canadian rock band ever. Bob talks with author Michael Barclay about his new biography, “The Never-Ending Present” on Gord Downie and his band of brothers.

We introduce a new member of the CARP family. Laura Tamblyn Watts is the group’s first National Director of Law and Policy Research. Libby talks to her about what she hopes to do for you! And – At 100, Orville Rogers is literally running into the record books. The century-old sprinter set five world track records last week and he’s not stopping there. He joins Libby to talk about his achievement and his ambitions.

Finally, it’s officially spring…a time for renewal. What better place to start than with the largest organ on your body..your skin. Libby talks to dermatologist Dr. Sandy Skotnicki about her new book Beyond Soap, and why we need a skin care diet. And – A sure rite of spring is the perennial “spring cleaning.” But who likes to clean…it can be overwhelming and not very fun! Libby talks to cleaning guru Melissa Maker, who shares some of her favourite tips to make it easy!

Have you thought about planning your funeral? More Zoomers are turning their attention to the inevitable and like everything else they are changing the way it’s done. Libby talks to David Garvie from Ogden Funeral Home to get his take. And – Have you ever been called “over the hill” or “of a certain age”, or maybe someone referred to you as a little old lady or a grumpy old man. Libby talks to AARP’s Amanda Duarte about her new article that focuses on ageist language and what to do about it.